Peter - Carepages - July 7th, 2007

Peter graduated today! This morning he was moved out of the CICU and up to the step-down unit (CPCU) in preparation to go home. He was a bit fussy this morning as he tried to get a poop out...he was very happy after he accomplished his big goal. He has been much more his normal self today - periods of playfulness and periods of sleep, and once again very able to just focus in on you as you talk to him, follow a color he likes, or turn to find the face of a new voice. He is free of all his lines, but a peripheral line they are keeping in his foot just in case they need to access it. He is off almost all drugs - taking only Tylenol and a diuretic orally. He is still on the high-flow oxygen/air blend, but they are starting to wean him down. He is doing so awesome! God is good!! From what I can tell he has a few goals to accomplish in order to go home - wean down on the oxygen although he will most likely go home with some, and start to eat orally and have regular bowl movements. I gave him a try on the bottle tonight. It was a bit of a strain for him but he took some of it. The little look on his face would lead me to believe his throat is still sore from being intubated (on the ventilator). All in all, Peter had another great day. It is hard to believe 5 days ago he had major surgery and today he was almost back to his pre-surgery self except more pink! His breathing has been doing so well, it is just great to see him! Just wanted to give you a quick update. John will be back with us tomorrow, so I know Peter is looking forward to seeing John as much as I am. The kids will be headed back down from Sout Dakota on Monday - so I am hopeful we will all be together for John's birthday on Saturday. Big hugs! catherine